Bridgestone won manufacturer of the year, cited by a panel of independent judges for its R&D investment and sustainable manufacturing programmes.
Bridgestone previously won this award in 2008; this time, it beat off competition from Goodyear, Cooper Tire and Nexen Tire to win the top prize.
Eduardo Minardi (pictured), executive chairman for Bridgestone EMEA, says: “Everyone in Bridgestone is hugely proud to receive this recognition. R&D and innovation lie at the heart of all our activities; it is the only path that can lead us to a sustainable future.”
Other awards included: innovation of the year, won by Kobe Steel for its 5THR tangential mixer rotor, which enables tangential mixers to be converted to silicon-rich compounds; and technology of the year, won by Nokian Tyres for its Hakkapeliitta R2 155/70R19 winter tyre for the BMW i3, which scored an EU label ‘A’ grade for rolling resistance – the first time this has been achieved by a winter tyre.
The prize for environmental achievement went to AquaJet for its water jet rubber recycling technology, which recycles used tyres into material for reuse in tyre manufacture. And Chinese business Mesnac picked up the trophy for industry supplier of the year, for its commitment to R&D and pioneering work in smart tyre manufacturing.